To link to the entire object, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed the entire object, paste this HTML in websiteTo link to this page, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed this page, paste this HTML in website

III. Chapter 24: The Negro as a Soldier 1729-1860

Page 1

[CHAPTER 24]
[Page 1]
THE NEGRO AS A SOLDIER
1729-1860
The use of the Negro as a soldier began early in the life of Louisiana. Armed bodies of Negro slaves rendered distinguished service under the French throughout the Indian Wars which threatened to curtail seriously or blot out altogether French beginnings in North America. Negro slaves also performed the military labor operations necessary to sustain the French forces. The participation of Negro soldiers in French Colonial warfare in Louisiana began with the Natchez Massacre of 1729 and continued for many years thereafter.
The Natchez Massacre began in the overbearing manners of a French officer, named Chopart, (variously called Chepar, Etcheparre)1 towards the Indians who had befriended his people. When this commander, under orders of Governor Périer, inconsiderately demanded of the Natchez that they move and allow the French to take over their village, called White Apple, their chieftain refused to do so. Incensed at the increasing requests of the French, which had now become open demands, he called his warriors together, and plans were secretly made to murder all white settlers, and take the women and children as slaves. Realizing that “All the Indians--the Yazoos, the Chickasaws, the Choctaws, and others … equally suffered … from French insolence, and must be tired of their oppressive domination,” the Natchez resolved to send out invitations to these tribes to join in a common war against the encroachments of the French, and rid their land of them.2

The unpublished manuscript "The Negro in Louisiana" is a work begun by the Dillard (University) Project in 1942, an arm of the WPA's Federal Writer's Project. After the dissolution of the unit, Marcus Christian maintained and edited the document in hopes of eventual publication. It is reproduced here as an annotated transcript, with original typos, chapters, and paginations preserved.

[CHAPTER 24]
[Page 1]
THE NEGRO AS A SOLDIER
1729-1860
The use of the Negro as a soldier began early in the life of Louisiana. Armed bodies of Negro slaves rendered distinguished service under the French throughout the Indian Wars which threatened to curtail seriously or blot out altogether French beginnings in North America. Negro slaves also performed the military labor operations necessary to sustain the French forces. The participation of Negro soldiers in French Colonial warfare in Louisiana began with the Natchez Massacre of 1729 and continued for many years thereafter.
The Natchez Massacre began in the overbearing manners of a French officer, named Chopart, (variously called Chepar, Etcheparre)1 towards the Indians who had befriended his people. When this commander, under orders of Governor Périer, inconsiderately demanded of the Natchez that they move and allow the French to take over their village, called White Apple, their chieftain refused to do so. Incensed at the increasing requests of the French, which had now become open demands, he called his warriors together, and plans were secretly made to murder all white settlers, and take the women and children as slaves. Realizing that “All the Indians--the Yazoos, the Chickasaws, the Choctaws, and others … equally suffered … from French insolence, and must be tired of their oppressive domination,” the Natchez resolved to send out invitations to these tribes to join in a common war against the encroachments of the French, and rid their land of them.2